The Criminal Justice / Public Safety program is Chapter 74 approved. Public Safety programs provide career exposure to the range of agencies that work within the criminal justice system. Students also achieve technical certifications that are relevant to careers in law enforcement, public safety, emergency response, animal welfare, child welfare and the legal system. Topics covered include Community Policing, Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal and Constitutional Law, Environmental Safety, Court Stenography, Emergency Preparedness, Surveillance and Interviewing Techniques, and Cybersecurity, among others.
Visiting instructors will be used often throughout the course and numerous field trip opportunities will connect classroom lessons to real-life educational experiences. These guest lectures and interactive sessions will give students a unique opportunity to learn directly from those working in the field. Students will gain practical understanding of the challenges, responsibilities, and ethical considerations that professionals in the criminal justice or public safety fields face daily
In addition to classroom visits, the program will offer numerous field trips to connect theoretical lessons with real-life experiences. These trips may include visits to courthouses, police stations, correctional facilities, emergency operations centers, and other relevant locations where students can observe professionals in action. Such experiences will deepen students’ understanding of the criminal justice system and expose them to the varied career paths available, helping them to make informed decisions about their future careers.
Course Objectives:
Using industry standards, students will learn the following competencies:
- Stop the Bleed
- Heart Saver CPR, First Aid, AED
- Ethics
- Physical Training Daily
- Communication
- Interviewing/ Interrogation Techniques
- Fingerprinting
- Evidence Collection and Preservation
- Community Policing
- 9-1-1 Telecommunications
- Constitutional Law
- Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Cybercrime, Surveillance, and Technology
- Defensive Tactics
- Emergency Preparedness
- Environmental Safety / Hazmat
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Physical Training/ Military Drill
- Police, Court, & Correctional Procedure
- Report Writing
- Stress Management
Certifications/Licenses:
- OSHA 10
- Numerous FEMA certifications
- 9-11 Equipment Training/Dispatching
- First Aid /CPR/ AED
- Stop the Bleed
- Emergency Medical Responder
- Basic Firearms Safety
- Crisis Intervention Training Certification (CIT)
- Cyber Safety Awareness
Looking toward the future: Students completing the Criminal Justice program have the options of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both.
Post-Secondary Options:
Westfield State University
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
Fitchburg State University
Worcester State University
Springfield Technical Community College
Holyoke Community College
Greenfield Community College
Northeastern University
Quinsigamond Community College
Anna Maria College
University Of New Hampshire
Career Opportunities:
Entry-level Jobs – High School Diploma – On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship
Deputy Sheriff
Police Officer
Security Guard
U.S. Armed Forces
Correctional Officer
Firefighter
9-1-1 Dispatch Operator
State Trooper
Parking Enforcement
Skilled Jobs – Technical/Community College/Associate’s Degree or Certificate
Court Officer
EMT/Paramedic
Environmental Police Officer
Emergency Management
Probation Officer
Forensic Technician
Legal Advocate
9-1-1 Dispatch Operator
Insurance Investigator
Professional Careers – BS / MS Degree/Graduate Studies
Special Agent
Criminal Investigator
Attorney
State & Federal Protective Services
Private Investigator
Crime Analyst
Gaming Agent